If you spend enough time exploring the cities, towns, and neighborhoods of Indiana, you might feel you’ve done a bit of time travel: The architectural styles that flourished from the pioneer era through present day all have left their marks, and examples of these structures endure even now. That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Here you’ll find Indiana examples of those architectural styles that have thrived in our state, including the modest and affordable vernacular designs and the more ornate, finely done high-styles. All these examples are further illustrated with primary design characteristics, and accompanied by brief explanations about the cultural and historic events that influenced and popularized them.

While this guide focuses on pure expressions of these unique styles, once you know how to identify them you’ll notice similar versions everywhere, as design elements and structures were borrowed and adapted to add flair to more modest buildings. So read on, learn more, and discover the secret language of Indiana’s architectural styles.